Regeni, Roma Tre University joins the campaign “Universities for Giulio”

On 13 May 2026 at 4:00 p.m., a special screening of the documentary “Giulio Regeni – All the Evil in the World”, produced by Fandango and Ganesh Produzioni, will take place at the Aula Magna of the Rectorate (Via Ostiense 133 – Tower A, 2nd floor). The screening will be followed by a dedicated debate to the themes of freedom of study and research.
The event is organized by Roma Tre University as part of the campaign “Universities for Giulio Regeni”, promoted by Senator for Life and scientist Elena Cattaneo ten years after the passing away in Egypt of the young researcher. The initiative involves 76 universities, 15.000 people over two months of meetings and screenings focused on research freedom.
The initiative was presented today in the Italian Senate during a press conference attended, among others, by Senator Cattaneo; Giulio Regeni’s parents; lawyer Alessandra Ballerini; the documentary’s director Simone Manetti and the authors Emanuele Cava and Matteo Billi. It consists of a series of events held between April and May 2026 at 76 universities across Italy, reaching an audience of over 15,000 people, including students, researchers, academic staff and citizens.
“The University’s participation in this campaign” states the Rector Massimiliano Fiorucci, “is an act in line with history, vocation and identity of our university, which was founded with the aim of being a public university—open, inclusive and deeply connected to its territory. Remembering Giulio Regeni’s story is not only an act of remembrance, for us it also means strongly renewing our commitment to a non-negotiable principle: promoting free, critical and responsible knowledge.
Defending the right to study, investigate and produce knowledge without constraints or fear is a duty and a responsibility that we feel particularly strongly as an academic community especially toward new generations of scholars and researchers.
Roma Tre is, and intends to remain, a place where critical thinking can develop in full autonomy and safety, contributing to the civic growth of our country. Taking part in this initiative therefore means reaffirming, together with the Italian university system, our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the universal values of freedom and dignity in research, which are the foundations of democracy and the future of our society.”
 
The event will open with remarks from Rector Massimiliano Fiorucci, Deputy Rector Anna Lisa Tota and Vice-Rector for Research Paolo Visca. This will be followed by a video message from Paola Deffendi and Claudio Regeni, Giulio’s parents and a contribution from a PhD student at the University, representing the community of PhD students.
The program will then continue with the screening of the documentary “Giulio Regeni – All the Evil in the World” (directed by Simone Manetti, Fandango 2026).
The meeting will be chaired by Marco Catarci, Vice-Rector of Roma Tre University.
“The story of Giulio Regeni,” recalls Senator Cattaneo, “thanks to the courage and strength of his family, did not end with the discovery of his lifeless body in Cairo ten years ago. On the contrary, Giulio continues to live and to ‘do things’ through a movement of people who recognize themselves in the fundamental value of freedom—the same value that Giulio defended as a scholar.”
“We are honored and grateful for this initiative,” said Giulio’s parents Paola Deffendi and Claudio Regeni, “which involves many universities, with professors, students and PhD students—who, we would like to stress, must always be protected. The documentary highlights both the figure of Giulio as an upright and passionate researcher and the violations of his rights.”
The hashtag chosen for social media is #UniversitàperGiulio.
The campaign “Universities for Giulio Regeni” is supported by the Elena Cattaneo ETS Foundation, in collaboration with Fandango and Ganesh Produzioni.